GOLDEN, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines women's basketball team exploded for 44 second-half points Saturday afternoon to earn a 68-62, come-from-behind victory against New Mexico Highlands at Lockridge Arena.
 
Sofia Baldessari led all players with 19 points. She also added seven rebounds, two steals, and one block. Emma Sixta was Mines' other double-digit scorer thanks to 11 points burnished by three steals, six rebounds, and one assist. Jade Leon served as the Orediggers' utility belt, providing eight points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Four assists by Jenna Shandy with Sophia Baal's nine points and seven rebounds were notable too.
 
The victory marked the first RMAC win of the season for Mines (3-6, 1-1 RMAC). It was also the Orediggers' last home game of 2025. New Mexico Highlands (4-3, 1-1 RMAC) led by 10 points at halftime, but Mines limited the Cowgirls to just 28 points in the second half. Both teams hovered around 38-percent shooting from the floor for the game. The turnover battle went to NMHU, 17-20, but the Orediggers won on the glass and converted 21-of-28 free-throws.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mines scored first on Saturday thanks to Shandy's driving layup. However, a NMHU three-pointer 20 seconds later put the Cowgirls ahead early. It was a lead they wouldn't give up until the fourth quarter. In the meantime, the visitors built a 34-24 halftime lead. The deficit came as the Orediggers were held under 30-percent shooting from the floor through the first two quarters. Even so, Baldessari went into the break touting seven points while Baal had five points and five rebounds.
 
The second-half surge started with an 8-0 run for Mines at the start of the third period. Sixta and Shandy accounted for three points each and Quincey Baum added two in the outburst. The next 7:48 of the third frame saw the margin fluctuate from two to six, all still in favor of New Mexico Highlands. Leon's six third-quarter points were key in keeping Mines close. The Orediggers finally regained the lead, 49-48, on an Olivia Campbell free throw with nine minutes to play in the game.  New Mexico Highlands took the advantage back one more time, but a Sixta jumper with 6:55 on the clock pushed Mines ahead for good. Baldessari scored 10 of the Orediggers' final 15 points to ice the victory.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines improved to 36-35 in the all-time series against New Mexico Highlands.
- The Orediggers have also won 15 of their last 16 meetings with the Cowgirls.
- Baldessari is averaging 16.5 points per game across her last five outings despite not scoring at #8 Minnesota State.
- Leon's five assists, four steals, and four made free throws against NMHU were all career highs for the sophomore.
- Shandy surpassed 100 career steals and Sixta surpassed 500 career points on Saturday.
- Mines Head Coach Brittany Simpson is now 235-145 in her 14th season at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines travels to Westminster next Thursday and to #14 Colorado Mesa on Saturday. Free live stats will be available, as well as live video with a subscription to the RMAC Network.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines women's basketball on "X" (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram at @MinesWBB. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.